Method and System for Replacing a Plasma Lamp Using a Removable Base Member from a Resonator Assembly

• US 20120014118A1
• Filed: 06/04/2010
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Topanga USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Topanga Technologies, Inc. (Topanga USA, Inc.)
• Inventors: Espiau, Frederick M., Brockett, Timothy J., Matloubian, Mehran
• Application Number:
  US12/794,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20120014118A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/382
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 5/48 Means forming part of the tube or lamp for the purpose of supporting it
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 65/042 by an external electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 9/003 Auxiliary devices for installing or removing discharge tubes or lamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A method and system for replacing an electrodeless plasma lamp from a resonator assembly. The system includes a base support and a post member. The base support is coupled to the resonator assembly. The post member supports the bulb and is coupled to the base support through a mating region.

Claims

1. An electrodeless plasma lamp apparatus comprising:

a bulb comprising a fill material;

a support base comprising a first surface region and a second surface region, a thickness provided between the first surface region and the second surface region;

a mating region configured within one or more portions of the first surface region; and

a post member having first end and a second end, the first end being configured for holding the bulb, the second end being configured to be received by the mating region to support the post member.

2. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mating region comprises a cavity configured for receiving the second end of the post member and coupling the post member to the support base.

3. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post member is made from an electrically conductive material.

4. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post member is hollow and confines a conductive output element that is in contact with the support base.

5. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post member acts as an electrical conductor and wherein the post member acts as a thermal conductor.

7. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post member is an inductor.

8. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support base acts as an electrical conductor.

9. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support base acts as a thermal conductor.

10. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support base is made of a composite material.

11. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support base is comprised of layers of different materials.

12. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mating region is threaded.

13. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mating region is a locking joint.

14. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mating region comprises a twisting lock joint configured for receiving the second end of the post member and coupling the post member to the support base.

15. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second end of the post member has a larger volume than the cavity allowing the post member to be coupled to the support base through pressure fitting.

16. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mating region comprises a cavity that extends through the entire thickness of the support base, such that the post member extends through the entire support base, and is coupled to the support base through a rivet on the second surface region of the support base.

17. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support base is permanently attached to the lamp apparatus.

18. The lamp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support base is removably attached to the lamp apparatus.

6. (canceled)

19-36. -36. (canceled)

37. An electrodeless plasma lamp apparatus comprising:

a bulb comprising a fill material; and

a post member having first end and a second end, the first end being configured for coupling to a bulb, the second end being configured to couple to a mating region to support the post member.